Dangote Industries Limited has denied owning the truck involved in a fatal accident in Enugu on Wednesday.
The crash occurred around 9 a.m. and involved a Howo truck loaded with cement and a Toyota Corolla. The truck, bearing Visco Investment Global Limited’s inscription, was travelling from Aba to Abuja when the accident happened.
Reports circulating online linked the vehicle to Dangote because of its branding. However, the company firmly dismissed the claim, stressing the truck was not part of its fleet.
In a statement signed by its management, Dangote explained that a third party operated the truck. Moreover, the company promised stricter measures to prevent unauthorised use of its logo.
“We are engaging relevant agencies to determine why the truck carried our logo. Moving forward, we will increase scrutiny to stop misuse of our identity, especially on vehicles unconnected to our operations,” the statement said.
Dangote noted that it typically avoids commenting on isolated incidents. Yet, due to misinformation spreading online, it felt compelled to respond.
“Ordinarily, we would not comment on individual cases. However, false claims linking accidents to the Group forced us to react. We urge the media and the public to avoid spreading unverified reports,” the company added.
The Group also pledged full cooperation with authorities investigating the crash, insisting that due process must be allowed. Furthermore, it condemned attempts to exploit tragedies for malicious or financial gain.
“We reject attempts to exploit tragedies for malicious or financial gain. Indeed, our commitment to safety and integrity remains strong,” the statement concluded.
Nevertheless, public concerns remain. Trucks branded with Dangote logos have frequently been linked to road accidents nationwide in recent years. The recurring cases have sparked heavy criticism and widespread debate about safety measures.
In August, Ruth Otabor, younger sister of Big Brother Naija Season 7 winner Phyna, died after a truck allegedly tied to Dangote hit her near Auchi Polytechnic, Edo State. Her family confirmed she passed away following a leg amputation while they were still seeking justice and compensation.
Eyewitnesses reported that the heavy-duty truck crushed her leg before a bystander stopped it. Consequently, the incident renewed calls for stricter regulation of trucks associated with the Dangote brand.
